Chucky's 20 Most Memorable Lines From the Entire Franchise - MovieWeb
The Chucky franchise (AKA the Child's Play franchise) is top-tier in the slasher game. In fact, there's arguably no A-list slasher that's reinvented himself half as well as Chucky. Not Jason, not Ghostface, not Leatherface, not Michael.
Why? Because Chucky (well, rather, the screenwriters behind him) were never afraid to take risks. Once the IP ran out of steam after the initial trilogy, it was time to get meta. And then, when that ran out of steam, it was time to go into the DTV market (and the franchise actually managed to dish out solid installments anyway). Then, finally, the Syfy and USA Network series Chucky merged all the eras that came before, and brought more thoughtful material than ever seen in the franchise before, as well.
20 "Hi, I'm Chucky. Wanna play? Hidey-ho! Ha ha ha!" — Child's Play (1988)
Chris Sarandon is willing to come back to the Child's Play franchise, which is both surprising because he only featured in the first film, and unsurprising because the first film's so good. Arguably not the best of the franchise, but a trend-setter and iconic nonetheless.
Speaking of iconic, the first film was also the one to introduce Chucky's creepy catchphrase (extra creepy, in fact, considering it takes an innocent slogan for a child's toy and twists it into something sinister).
What Makes It Iconically Chucky?
Every element of this line in particular has achieved fame. 'Hidey-ho' is inextricably linked to the franchise. 'I'm Chucky' clearly is as well — we can hear the toy's voice saying the line. The same can be said for 'Wanna play?' which might be the most famous bit, and makes sense both in the context of the Good Guys commercial as well as a cruel taunt. Not to mention... that laugh.
19 "Give me the boy and I'll let you live!" — Child's Play
Chucky has a one-track mind. He has from the beginning. And, what's the target of that one-track mind? Andy Barclay. Or, rather, Andy Barclay's soul. The soul Chucky intends to take possession of.
What Makes It Murderously Chucky?
Chucky says this line to the boy's own mother, that's what makes it so very Chucky. It doesn't even cross his mind that no mother would ever agree to that. It's obvious, because he shouts it with full sincerity.
18 "How's it hanging, Phil?" — Child's Play 2 (1990)
Like the characters of Arnold Schwarzenegger, Chucky is a sucker for doling out a one-liner, and he's been doing it since the early days. For instance, this line to Andy Barclay's stepfather in Child's Play 2 (the franchise's peak as far as most fans are concerned).
What Makes It Sarcastically Chucky?
When Phil scolds Andy yet again, more and more fed up each time, he's so upset that he's not fully aware of his surroundings. But, to be fair to Phil, Chucky is hiding beneath the staircase. And when he slits Phil's ankle, sending him tumbling until he's just dangling, that's when Chucky, via a one-liner confirms that, no, Andy was not lying.
17 "I told you. We're gonna be friends to the end." — Child's Play 2
While Child's Play 2 paved the path forward for the franchise (at least for one more installment), it also replicated many of the first film's most effective plot points. And lines. For instance, Chucky's at first softly-spoken threat that he and Andy Barclay will be friend until the so-called 'end.'
What Makes It Obsessively Chucky?
Chucky saying this line again to Andy in the sequel film shows that he hasn't changed. He still wants a human form and, thanks to him revealing himself to Andy first, it has to be this boy in particular. But, if Chucky were smart, he'd realize that being a doll makes him an even more elusive serial killer. And, yet, that's simply not how obsessive minds work.
16 "You know what they say. 'You just can't keep a good guy down.'" — Child's Play 3 (1991)
Child's Play 3 caused some problems back in the day. After all, it was brought into a major court case when a murderous pair of 10-year-olds cited it as an influence for their torture and murder of a two-year-old child. But, of course, people make choices, movies don't, and even that wasn't enough to keep this franchise's Good Guy down.
What Makes It So Good Guy Chucky?
To a degree, Chucky's always had a hint of meta. At least when compared to other major slasher franchises. Of course, as it progressed, the IP would get way more meta, but there were hints in the original trilogy. And out of them all, this is perhaps the most direct example: he knows what he is and doesn't care. You can put a lit stick of dynamite in his mouth and watch it explode... he'll still see you tomorrow.
15 "Don't f**k with the Chuck" — Child's Play 3
Sometimes the simplest lines stick out, and this is one of them. Why? Because it's an obvious line that had to be written at some point. Yet, obvious or not, Brad Dourif's line reading is amazing (surprise surprise).
What Makes It So Simply Chucky?
Chucky wants to be a wrecking ball. He doesn't care who he kills, and for the most part he's going to kill everyone he sees. This is especially true of those who get in his way.
14 "Just like the good ol' days. Nothin' like a good strangulation to get the circulation goin'." — Child's Play 3
Retrospective Chucky is always good. Brad Dourif can make the character sound like he genuinely looks back at his crimes with whimsy. He even gets different feelings from different methods of killing.
What Makes It So Authentically Chucky?
Apparently, Chucky doesn't need coffee. If he needs some pep, to feel like his body's ready for the day, he just needs to grab a jump rope — and find a neck on which to use it.
13 "I've gotta get out of this body." — Child's Play 3
Chucky's always talking about swapping bodies. Over three films, he just can't let it go. And by the third movie, that griping became as iconic as 'Howdy-ho!'
What Makes It So Doggedly Chucky?
As mentioned, Chucky's a one-track mind at work. He'd travel to Alaska in pursuit of Andy Barclay. But, this line was the first time that Chucky sounded exasperated more than angry. To be fair, he'd already been eviscerated twice by this point.
12 "Go ahead and shoot! I'll be back! I always come back!" — Bride of Chucky (1998)
Ronny Yu's Bride of Chucky really did the franchise a lot of favors. It was the exact shot in the arm the IP needed, yet not at all what anyone was expecting. That is, after Child's Play 3, if they were expecting another film at all.
What Makes It So Eternally Chucky?
Yet, even with the tonal changes and the addition of Tiffany, it's still very much Chuck's movie. And, for the first time, he pokes fun at his own past as a killer doll. And his resurrection. And his other resurrection. And the one that followed.